Starting today, December 1, the Ministry of Civil Aviation introduces a new digital service to provide paperless entry at airports. It is a biometric-based computerised processing system for flight travellers known as Digi Yatra. In order to automatically process passenger information at checkpoints including entrance point check, security check, and aircraft boarding, the service uses facial recognition technology
In the first phase, the initiative will be launched at seven airports, starting with three — Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi, followed by four airports namely Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada by March 2023. Subsequently, the technology will be implemented across the country.
How can people avail the DigiYatra facility?
For availing the service, a passenger has to register their details on the DigiYatra app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self image capture. In the next step, the boarding pass has to be scanned, and the credentials are shared with airport authorities.
At the airport e-gate, the passenger has to first scan the bar coded boarding pass and the facial recognition system installed at the e-gate will validate the passenger’s identity and travel document. Once this process is done, the passenger can enter the airport through the e-gate.
After the passenger’s identity has been confirmed, the gates will open, allowing them to go to the security checkpoint and boarding gate, where their face will once again be taken. The passenger can proceed and board the aircraft after verification.
The passenger will have to follow the normal procedure to clear security and board the aircraft.
Facial recognition technology is beneficial as it makes flying more convenient and reduces congestion at airports. The facial recognition system at various airports across the globe, including Dubai, Singapore, Atlanta and Narita (Japan), have helped bring in efficiency.
